JFC water troughs

Access to water is frequently raised as a barrier for implementing a rotational grazing system. Many farmers are achieving success by using temporary drinkers whereby they run polythene piping over the ground that allows a water trough to be moved between paddocks.

The JFC trough pictured is the DT30 fast-flow water trough which is ideal for such a job. The fast-flow fitting allows troughs to refill quickly while two outlets at the base of the trough mean that both sections can be emptied for moving or cleaning easily.

The trough has a capacity of 136 litres with a recommended retail price of €95 including VAT. JFC also manufactures lower-cost troughs without the fast-flow fittings or drain-off bungs, with a similar sized trough in this range retailing for about €55 including VAT. A smaller 53l single-section trough can be purchased for €50 including VAT. Troughs can be purchased in most retail stores and more info can be found at jfcagri.com.

Moore concrete drinkers

For someone looking for heavier concrete drinkers, Moore Concrete Products, based in Ballymena, Co Antrim, were displaying a range of concrete troughs. The company reports that its best-selling sheep troughs are its 15- and 20-gallon (68l and 91l) heavy-duty drinkers. These troughs are also suitable for low-level demand in a mixed grazing system with an extensive range of larger volume trough available that still suit access to cattle and sheep.

The 15-gallon trough retails at £51 plus VAT (€53) while the 20-gallon drinker costs £60.50 plus VAT (€63). All drinkers have a bung at the bottom to allow troughs to be quickly emptied with the ballcock protected by a concrete cover that can be removed for access. See www.moore-concrete.com for more information.

New Green Dragon Estate sheep wire

Permanent sheep fencing is a costly job but the return on investment will be much greater where the fence achieves a longer lifetime. Estate Wire, based in Sheffield in the UK, has brought its range to the Irish market with Herron and Son Limited, based in Ballisodare, Co Sligo, a distributer of this range. The company’s new Green Dragon Estate Wire boasts a longer lifetime of at least 30 years.

Stephen Murphy, sales manager with Herron and Son, says the longer lifetime is due to the wire’s complex manufacturing. High grade steel is used as the base wire and this is encased in a zinc and aluminium alloy coating which the company says protects the steel from extreme weather, including in coastal locations. This alloy coating is then covered with a green polymer which gives greater protection and the fences green colour which Stephen says is selling well in the UK. Prices vary between outlets, but an approximate cost of a 50m high-tensile roll of 8/80/15 sheep wire is €70-85 excluding VAT with 100m retailing around €130-150 excluding VAT. More info can be found at www.herron.ie or ds.arcelormittal.com/wiresolutions/fencingagribusiness/sheffield.

EID weighing, drafting and recording

British-based agricultural engineering company Bateman was exhibiting at the show with its link-up in Northern Ireland with Fane Valley where products can be purchased. The electronic weighing scales shown has an electronic reading panel on the right that allows electronically tagged sheep to be automatically read.

The software is Tru-test technology which also has Bluetooth capability and a display screen that allows information to be accessed or recorded. The heavy-duty unit costs £3,100 plus VAT (€3,647 at 85p to the euro), with lower-cost alternatives on the market available without EID panel readers. The three-way heavy-duty manual drafting system on the front costs £500 plus VAT (€588). See www.lmbateman.co.uk for more information.

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Special focus: sheep handling